Resistor Color Code Calculator
Pick your bands and see the resistance, tolerance, min/max range and — for 6-band parts — the temperature coefficient.
Color table
black 0, brown 1, red 2, orange 3, yellow 4, green 5, blue 6, violet 7, grey 8, white 9.
Multipliers: gold ×0.1, silver ×0.01 (and black ×1, brown ×10 … up to white ×10⁹).
Tolerances: brown ±1 %, red ±2 %, green ±0.5 %, blue ±0.25 %, violet ±0.1 %, grey ±0.05 %, gold ±5 %, silver ±10 %.
Multipliers: gold ×0.1, silver ×0.01 (and black ×1, brown ×10 … up to white ×10⁹).
Tolerances: brown ±1 %, red ±2 %, green ±0.5 %, blue ±0.25 %, violet ±0.1 %, grey ±0.05 %, gold ±5 %, silver ±10 %.
How to read resistor color codes
A 4-band resistor uses two digit bands, a multiplier, and a tolerance. A 5-band resistor adds a third significant digit for higher precision. A 6-band resistor adds a temperature-coefficient band (in ppm/°C). Always read from the band nearest the edge; if you can't tell which end, the tolerance band is usually gold or silver, and the body colour of precision parts is often blue.
Worked examples
5-band: brown black black red brown
digits 1, 0, 0 → 100, multiplier ×100 → 10000 Ω = 10 kΩ, tol ±1%
Related tools
FAQs
How do 4-band resistors work?
First two digits, third = multiplier, fourth = tolerance.
How do 5 and 6 band differ?
5-band adds a third significant digit; 6-band adds temperature coefficient.